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East Bengal FC’s wastefulness in front of goal proved costly as Oman’s Al-Seeb Club scored two late goals to secure a 2-0 victory in a Group D fixture of the AFC Champions League Two at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday.
The red and gold brigade dominated possession and created several opportunities but failed to breach Al-Seeb’s defence, largely due to an impressive performance from goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini. Dani Ramirez came close in the 10th minute with a left-footed effort that narrowly missed the target. In the 20th minute, Ibrahim denied Edmund Lalrindika before captain Mohammed Rashid headed the rebound wide. The goalkeeper produced another excellent save in the 33rd minute to keep Ramirez at bay.
Al-Seeb threatened after the break, with Axel Meye heading over from a corner in the 48th minute.
Ibrahim then produced a magnificent save in the 61st minute to deny Ramirez following a move involving Jay Gupta and substitute Ake Loba.
East Bengal custodian Phurba Lachenpa made an excellent reflex save in the 76th minute to deny Omar Almalki, who subsequently missed the rebound.
The visitor broke the deadlock in the 85th minute when Meye controlled Hassan Al-Ajmi’s cross before beating defender Sandip Mandi and firing home.
Meye then turned provider in stoppage time, setting up substitute Zahir Al-Aghbari, who went up unchallenged and calmly slotted home in the 90+1st minute.
The defeat left East Bengal at the bottom of Group D with two points, while Al-Seeb moved to third with four points.
The result: East Bengal FC 0 lost to Al-Seeb Club 2 (Axel Meye 85, Zahir Sulaiman 90+1).